State Representative Rachelle Smit has addressed the recent refusal by the Michigan Department of State (MDOS) to comply with a subpoena issued by the House Oversight Committee. The subpoena sought election training materials, which MDOS has declined to release, citing concerns over “sensitive information.” This information, according to Smit, is typically shared with clerks throughout Michigan.
Smit’s statement criticized the actions of the Secretary of State: “The Secretary of State can whine about our subpoena all she wants, but the law is the law, and she can’t choose to just ignore us because that’s more convenient for her. We have a responsibility to ensure she’s doing the right things and properly training our clerks.”
She further compared this situation to an academic setting: “If a teacher assigns a student homework with a clear due date, that student can complain and procrastinate all they want. But that deadline is still coming whether they like it or not. Homework is due Tuesday, Secretary Benson.”
The disagreement centers on ensuring transparency and accountability in election procedures as viewed by different parties involved.
